Loose leaf binder



Dec. 13, 1932. LQTTER 1,890,688

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 12, 1929 4147 172 Jim/1 Patented Dec. 13, 19 32;

UNITED STATS PATENT oFFicE ADOLPH G. LOTTER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO H. C. MILLER COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN I ioosE LnAr BINDER j Application filed September 12, 1929. Serial No. 392,120.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in loose leaf binders and has as an object the provision ofan improved locking device for releasably securing binders in closed position.

A more specific object of this invention resides in the provision of a simplified locking device for loose leaf binders wherein the operating key is so constructed and designed as to readily guide its drive lugs into engaging relation with the locking member to facilitate the locking operation.

A further object of this invention resides in an improved binder construction wherein thecover mounting hinge cooperates with the binder or clamping plate to enclose the locking mechanism when the binder covers are closed. v I

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention mayfbe made as come within the scope of the claims. V

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of thebinding mechanism of a loose leaf binder embodying my invention, the cover members being broken away. I i

Figure 2 is an enlargedvview partlyin section and partly in elevation taken through the back of the binder and illustrating the construction of the binder posts, .locking mechanism, and key. p

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the novel key device; and

. Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the binder posts on the plane of the line 44. of Figure 2. 50 Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, 5 and 6 are upper and lower clamping members or bars respectively. The lower member 6 consists of a pair of elongated members 7 and 8 made of metal or other suitable material and of different thicknesses. The members 7 and 8 may be spot-welded or otherwise connected, the member 8 having its outer longitudinal edge extended beyond the member 7 to provide a hinge part 9 to which a member 10 is hingedly connected as at, 11. The member 10 is similar to the member 8, but is wider to extend inwardly thereof, being offset so that the outer surface of the lower cover 12, secured thereto as at 13, is in the plane of the clamping member as best shown in Figure 1.

Theupper clamping member 5 is likewise constructed of two members 7 and 8 similar to the members 7 and 8 and the ends of the member 7 extend beyond the ends of the member 8 to be directed upwardly and provide flanges 14. Like the member 8, the member 8 has its outer longitudinal edge extended beyond the member? to provide. a hinge part to which a cover member hinge part 16 is'hingedly connected. The part 16 is offset along its major axis as at 17 to be secured as lat 18 to a top cover 19, the outer face of the cover 19 being on a plane with the innermost portion of the member 16. When the top cover is closed over the binder, the hinge part 16 cooperates with the end flanges 14 to form an enclosed chamber in which the locking mechanism, about to be described, is concealed.

The binder members are connected by a series of readily expansible posts 20 and looking posts 21 to clamp a body of loose leaves,

not shown, therebetween. The posts 20 comprise studs 22 fixed to the lower clamping member 6, which are slidably received in the bore 23 of a lowermost section 24 which is connected with the upper clamping member through a plurality of threadedly connected sections 25 the uppermost section being detachably connected with the upper clamping ,memberasat 26. The locking posts 21 consist of a series of threadedly connected sections the lowermost one of whichis threadedly connected with the lower clamping member as at 28 and the uppermost one 29 is tubular to receive a releasable locking device 30 carried by the upper binding member.

The locking device'30 is of the type illustrated in Patent No. 848,671 and consists of a tubular member 31 fixed to the upper clamping member by having one end passed through an aperture 32 in the plate or member 8 with a flange 33 formed thereon received in an aperture 32 in the member 7 to engage the under side of the member 8 and having its outermost portion swedged over the peripheral edge of the aperture 32, as at 34.

The other end of the tubular member 31 is radially divided into segmental sections 35 by intersecting longitudinal slots 36 and 'is preferably reduced in diameter at an intermediate portion, as at 35, to increase the flexibility of the sections which are expanded by the forced engagement of the conical point 37 of a screw 38 with inwardly directed por tions on the lower ends of the segmental sections. The screw 38 has the inner portion of its shank threaded in the uppermost end of the tubular member, and its head 39 is confined-within a cup-shaped cap member 40 stamped from bendable metal and rigidly connected with a flange 41 whereby it is securedtothe upper clamping member by rivets 42 or the like. I

The closed end of the cup-shaped cap member 40 is apertured as at 43 to receive the reduced outermost end 44 of the screw-head 39, and while permitting suflicient axial movement of the screw to effect expansion and contraction ofthe segmental sections 35, limits such movement and prevents detachment of the screw. As in the aforementioned patent, inward movement of the screw expands the segmental sections into intimate engagement with the walls of thetubular' member 29 to secure the member 31 againstaxial movement therein which looks the clamping members against relative movement.

Rotation of the screw 38 is effected by means of a key 45 of novel construction, having driving lugs 46 projected from the bottom of a cup-shaped member 47 to engage in suitable apertures 48 formed in the outerfaceof the screw head 39 so that turning of the key 45 is imparted to the screw. As clearly illustrated, the outer edge of the cup-shaped member 47 projects beyond the lugs 46 and is 1 adapted to receive the cup-shaped member 40 which facilitates the alignment of the lugs 46 with theircoopei'ating apertures formed in the screw head 39.

the art to which an invention of'the character fdesc'ribed appertains, that I provide an improved manner of locking the clamping memers of a loose leaf binder against relative movement wherein the locking mechanism is normally concealed by a portion of the cover and wherein a large number of loose leaves may be accommodated.

What I claim as my invention is;

g 1. In a loose leaf binder including clamping members, means expansibly connecting the clamping members and means for locking the clamping members against relative movement comprising a tubular post section connected with one clamping member, an expansion member carried by the other clamping member and adapted to be received in the tubular post section, means for expanding said expansion member into intimate engagement with the tubular post section and including a screw having a head, a member cooperating with the screw head to limit the axial movement of the screw, and a key for an expansionmember carried by the other clamping" member and adapted to be received in the tubular post section, means for expanding said expansion member into intimate engagement with the tubular post section and including a screw having a head, a member cooperating with the screw head to limit the axial movement of the screw, a

key, cooperating means carried by the key and the screw'head whereby actuation of the key imparts rotation to the screw, and means extended from the key for surrounding the member which limits axial movement of the screw for guiding said cooperating means into engagement. I

3'. In a loose leaf binder having clamping 'members, a cover and means expansibly connecting the clamping members, locking mechanism for securing the clamping members against relative movement including, an expansion member, a key-controlled actuatingmember, and cap means for maintaining the key-controlled actuating member assembled with the expansion member, said cap means projecting from one of the clamping members, and means carried by the cover and cooperating with said last named clamping member to form a housing for concealing the locking mechanism.

7 4. A loose leaf binder of the character demembers,-

scribed comprising clamplng means expansibly connectmg the clamping members, locking mechanism for securing the clamping members against relative movement and including screw means, means carried by one of the clamping members for l1miting axial movement of the screw means and preventing detachment of the same, covers hingedly connected with the clamping members, and means whereby the screw means and the means limiting its axial movement are concealed by one of the covers when closed.

5. In a loose leaf binder, including clamping members, means connecting theclamping members for adjustment to accommodate a varying number of leaves, means for locking the clamping members in intimate contact with the body of leaves placed therebetween and including a movable member, a cupshaped key member adapted to receive a portion of the movable member, and spaced'lugs carried by one of said members and engage able in recesses of the other member, whereby engagement of the key member over said portion of the movable member to int-erengage said lugs and recesses and the operation of the key member actuates the locking means.

6. In a loose leaf binder having clamping members and means expansibly connecting the clamping members, means for locking the clamping members against relative movement comprising a tubular post section, an expansion member received in the tubular post section, screw means for effecting expansion of said member into intimate engagement with the tubular post section, and cap means connected with one of the clamping members and positioned over the screw means for maintaining the same assembled with the expansion member.

7. In a loose leaf binder having clamping bars and means connecting the clamping bars for adjustment to accommodate a varying number of leaves, means for locking the clamping bars in intimate engagement with the leaves placed therebetween, and including, a screw member having ahead projected above one of the clamping bars, a cup-shaped key member adapted to receive the head of said screw member, spaced lugs carried by one of said members and engageable in recesses in the other said member, and retaining means for said screw member carried by one of said clamping bars said last named means forming a guide for guiding the cup shaped key member into proper position over the head of the screw member.

In testimony whereof I have fixed my signature. I

ADOLPH G. LOTTER.

hereunto af- 

